Tools

Regardless of the job, it's difficult to complete tasks without the proper tools. One of the problems I have found is that, while I don't think tools are (always) intentionally withheld, at the very least employers/administrators aren't always clear about where to find them -- or even that employees will need them. I suppose it's difficult especially in industries where people come and go en masse, adjunct teaching, for example. I have received many directive emails that begin with, "As you know, this semester you are required to . . ." Well, no, I didn't know; this is the first I'm hearing of it. As far as my actual teaching goes, I think I'm doing a great job. I have no idea what my dean and department chair think. The interim dean -- and the fact that we have an interim dean may contribute to some of this -- came in to observe my class last night. My students were doing presentations, so I wasn't doing much active teaching. And my generally well-behaved students were a bit boisterous between presentations. I'm truly ambivalent; if I'm asked to return in the fall, I will. If I'm not asked back, I'll find something else to do.

Today my work email isn't working. I'm getting an error that says, "You need a license to use Office 365." I haven't changed anything on my computer, and my college should have a license. What makes it even more odd is that I have a personal license for Office 365. I still can't get into Outlook. I called the tech department, who wasn't able to help me. They "escalated" my case and I haven't heard anything else. Meanwhile, my students have no way to contact me or, to be more precise, I have no way to know they've contacted me and no way to respond. Ah, well, there's nothing I can do about it. I'm sure whatever they need can wait until tomorrow.